Vanthof gracious in victory

Timiskaming-Cochrane NDP incumbent John Vanthof says he will play the cards dealt him, after a bittersweet victory which saw him reach new heights in personal popularity while his party fell short of forming the next Ontario government.

The popular MPP won Thursday’s election with 16,805 votes, a convincing. 61.2 per cent of all ballots cast.

Progressive Conservative candidate Margaret Williams came in second place with 6,160 votes and Brian Johnson of the Liberals came in 3rd place with 2,456 votes. Northern Ontario Party candidate Shawn Poirier was third with 1, 105 votes.

Just over 54 per cent of the riding’s 50,458 registered voters cast ballots, up from 2014’s turnout of 50.7 per cent.

Vanthof says it will be “an honour” to once again serve the people of the riding. Speaking from his celebration party he said “It is my job to represent the people of Timiskaming-Cochrane and we are honoured to do it again.”

He said they were obviously hoping to win the election but you play the cards you are dealt. In terms of what his future role with the party will be, he says he will gladly accept anything that Party Leader Andrea Horwath offers to him.

He also thanked the citizens of the riding for coming out and voting, and not just for him. He noted there are many places in the world where people can’t do that.

He also thanked his fellow candidates for running a clean campaign.

Speaking with fourth place finisher, Northern Ontario Party candidate Shawn Poirier, he called the election a “win for them”. He said he received more votes than Gino Chitaroni did when he represented the Northern Ontario Party in the last election.

Poirier said running was a great experience and he will continue on with the party in some capacity. He also pledged, even as a member of the general public to keep new Premier Ford’s feet to the fire when it comes to representing the needs of the north.